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Quote of the Day:

Courage and perseverance have a magical talisman, before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish into air.
- John Quincy Adams

Monday – Sad Day

My Story 1 Comment »

Yesterday was a tough day.  I won’t use names to protect the anonymity of the person involved, but someone who has been just an integral part of my treatment – more in the background but has just been an angel – took her own life over the weekend.  I received a call yesterday morning.  It was a shock to everyone.  She leaves behind a teenage son whom she left a note for before she carried out what I personally view as a very selfish, self-serving act.  It may be harsh to say, because I cared about her very much, but frankly that’s what it is – straight up.  She helped Rachael and I more than anyone will ever know.  I always knew that she was there for us if there was anything we needed. 

It was hard for me to feel sadness yesterday and I’m having a hard time feeling it today.  I’m angry and frustrated by what she has done.  It came as a total shock.  She had some trials in her life just as many of us do.  She had a few relationships that went sour, some depression and other things that I talked to her at length about over lunches.  She had become a friend over the years but I along with others, including her family, never saw this coming.  I tried to lead her to God but I know she is with Him now.  That is my perspective.  I know there are differing opinions when it comes to the 6th Commandment but none of us knows what happens when a soul leaves this earth.  She was a giving, loving person with a caring heart that would help anyone.  She helped countless brain tumor patients – hundreds including patients with other neurological ailments.  There is no doubt in my mind that she is there.  It’s so unfortunate that she helped so many yet placed herself last in line and chose a permanant solution to a temporary problem.  How important it is indeed to acknowledge in life what is temporal vs eternal.   

As brain tumor survivors and from my own perspective, I could throw in the towel and quit but I can’t even wrap my mind around it.  The apostle Paul faced total despair in Asia and could have given up many times, but he held on to God.  In retrospect, there was nothing that anyone could obviously do.  I spoke to her many times as did family members and I’m sure friends – just helping her through rough spots.

For those who are believers.  We must live steadfast with God and live in today.  I know I’ve said that over and over but it is so important to me and a cornerstone of my way of life today.  For non-believers – live in today!  Romans 8:5 says “For those who live according to the flesh have their outlook shaped by the things of the flesh.  But those who live according to the Spirit have their outlook shaped by the things of the Spirit”.  The situation itself is very sad but my thoughts and prayers are for her son who will have to live with this.  What she set in motion is set.  Prayers need to go out to him and her family now dealing with the wake of sorrow and grief left behind.  You see, there is no sorrow or grieving in heaven.  Heaven is perfect.  Here on earth, however, there is plenty of that to endure.  This is a huge trial that has been created and her son and others will have to carry this.  And, the other aspect that is sad is the opportunity to allow God to work through her with patients as she did so well is now gone.  She was great at what she did.

Please pray.  Even though I’m not using names, just pray for “Mark’s caring and helpful friend who was so instrumental in his treatment over the past 3 years – for her son and that he can garner strength and hope from God, that he can be led to God and find solace, faith and comfort and that this setback will not impact his life in such a way that he will be hindered in any way.”

Finally, one of her favorite songs on my River of Faith CD was Angels of the Night which is now so ironic and pretty eerie.  I’ll just close by putting the streaming audio clip here.

Angels of the Night

Rest in peace dear.  You’ll be missed but you’re gone way too soon…

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Kids Can Teach Us

Christianity No Comments »

I believe I forgot to mention this.  Our son Aidan’s class is sponsoring a child in Mexico who is in need.  So, all of the students are encouraged to bring in some money once a month – a dollar or so.  Aidan works for his allowance and he has a number of chores and positive behaviors that he focuses on to earn a weekly sum. 

About a week ago, one morning he came out and told me he wanted to give some money to his teacher for this child.  I said ok bud, what do you want to give?  Mind you he’s been saving for months and he’s accumulated about $90 at this point.  He looked at me and said “this”.  In his hand was a 10 dollar bill.  I smiled and said are you sure pal?  How about 2-3 dollars?  He said no.  I said “how about 5 dollars?”  No again.  He said he wanted to contribute (tithe) $10.00 because we have lots of things that he doesn’t.  For him, that was more than 10% of what he had saved over months.  It really made me think about things.  We send Aidan to private school but on top of that, I can’t say we tithe 10%.  Of course there are many other circumstances including our medical situation – but to see a child unselfishly give $10 to another child who he doesn’t know – only that he is in need was amazing and it really made me feel good.  He never once changed his mind nor regretted his decision afterward.

Aidan is a real inspiration…

aidanblog100709.jpg

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Continuing Avastin

Chemotherapy 2 Comments »

Just a quick update.  I am continuing with my bi-weekly avastin infusions and they are going fine.  I will have an MRI coming up in the middle of October – yet to be scheduled.  Walking into the infusion center every two weeks is always a bit sad on several fronts.  I typically pray for many people in there.  I’m blessed to be in the position that I am with a GBM.  So many people in there are just at the end of the road.  It’s their time but I take comfort in knowing that this is God’s plan for them.  Many of them smile and have joy in their eyes, still.  Others are just very tired.  I pray for all of them though.  The team there is very good – they really know how to take care of their patients.

I am noticing over the past month or so that my memory is slipping a bit.  It’s all short-term memory.  I use my iPhone constantly.  Examples – I’ll set a meeting for a Thursday and someone will tell me they can make it on Thursday (this will be on a Wednesday for sake of discussion).  I’ll reply “oh, the meeting I set up is on Friday, not tomorrow?”.  With confusion showing on their face, they’ll say no, it was Thursday.  I’ll say ok, you’re probably right and I’ll double check my calendar.  Or, I’ll ask someone on Tuesday who’s playing on Monday Night Football and of course if was “last night” because I’m asking on Tuesday!  Dumb stuff!  People say that they themselves do that all the time but I know radiation is catching up to me.  My neuro-oncologist has noticed – and I’ve missed some appointments with a therapist I use for support as a result.

The positive?  This doesn’t affect my professional life.  I am laser-focused at work.  I may let a few meeting times slip, but I have audible alarms and other means to stay on top of everything.  I’ve also found some great brain teaser type of game for the eye phone that build up cognitive endurance.  Between that and my professional life, I’m getting along just fine.  It’s something that is evident to me now is all.  It is what it is and I am taking steps to work on it.  Just like physical therapy that I have every week, I have to work on this, too.  Sometimes it feels a bit overwhelming – so much to do!  However, this thinking goes back to living in today and, sometimes, just in the moment.  I can choose not to fill myself with everything at once.  Right now, I’m just posting this to my blog, period.  That’s it.  And I’m enjoying it!

Next week is an off week for treatment.  I’m still having seizures – had one over the weekend last weekend but they are very minor.  I’ve had so many minor seizures that I can walk through those just fine.  I will say that the first few seizures after the large seizure back 4-6 weeks ago concerned me in the beginning.  I wasn’t sure if they would evolve into something more significant but they haven’t.

Kids are great and Rachael is doing well.

I had to put this pic in here.  Rachael took this of Keegan at a park and he looked so happy!  She told me that 5 seconds before this a little girl was looking through the same window and he bonked her on the head so he could get in there.  Bully.  He apologized after the picture.

keeganwindow.jpg

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